According to NFL Network per Doublas Budget, Georgia Bulldogs offensive coordinator Todd Monken will interview for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ vacant offensive coordinator position.
The greatest compliment a program can receive is others trying to poach assistants and coordinators. Alabama and Nick Saban have dealt with attrition for a decade; now, Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs are dealing with a similar issue due to their recent success.
However, Monken won’t be the first prominent coordinator plucked from Smart’s coaching staff. Mel Tucker, Sam Pittman, and Dan Lanning have taken Power 5 head coaching gigs in recent years, and Smart’s program has done nothing but win back-to-back championships. Unfortunately, more attrition could be coming again this offseason with offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
Monken credited with unlocking Georgia’s offensive talent and maximizing Stetson Bennett’s skillset. He’s been a hot commodity but has remained on Georgia’s staff. However, that might not last much longer.
Tampa just finished with a disappointing season that may culminate with losing Tom Brady. The Cowboys dominated the Bucs in the Wild Card round, and Byron Leftwich was always going to be the fall guy despite the entire offense underperforming, including Brady.
Todd Monken worked with the Buccaneers from 2016 to 2018 as the offensive coordinator, so the connection to ownership is there. He’s the highest-profile offensive mind right now, thanks to Georgia’s recent championships; it’s only a matter of time before he accepts a promotion somewhere. Under Monken, UGA’s offense finished the 2022 campaign with 50 points on LSU, 42 on Ohio State, and 65 on TCU. It’s a prime opportunity for him to capitalize.
Georgia fans shouldn’t be worried, though. As impactful as Monken has been, Kirby Smart has proven capable of replacing coordinators in the past. Hiring subordinates is often an overlooked facet of being a head coach in college football, and Smart has had several impressive hires over the years. The Dawgs will be just fine if Todd Monken chooses to go to the NFL.
—
Photographer: Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.